A non-governmental organization, the Self Help Africa (SHA), with support from the World Food Programme (WFP) and the MasterCard Foundation, has commissioned a N100 million solar-powered vegetable drying hub in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, aimed at tackling post-harvest losses.
The facility, launched in Kura, is designed to help tomato and other vegetable farmers preserve their produce, reduce spoilage and improve earnings, particularly for youth and women engaged in the horticulture value chain.
Speaking at the commissioning, the Senior Programme Manager of Self Help Africa and Head of Office in Kano, Hajara Mohammed, described Kura as one of Kano’s leading vegetable production centres, noting that farmers in the area often suffer huge losses due to poor storage facilities and market glut.
“Kura is a hub for horticulture. Tomatoes, sweet pepper and other vegetables perish within hours after harvest. This drying hub will enable farmers to add value instead of losing their produce,” Mohammed said.
She explained that the project consists of two major components, a solar dryer and a UV dryer, capable of drying tomatoes and other perishables while retaining their nutritional value.
According to her, the solar dryer can dry tomatoes within four to six hours, while the UV dryer takes between one and two days, depending on the product.
Mohammed added that the solar dryer has the capacity to dry one ton of tomatoes within four to six hours, making it possible to process up to three tons daily.
She said the initiative is expected to reduce post-harvest losses by up to 50 percent, adding that the facility will be managed by farmers’ cooperatives as a sustainable income-generating service.
“The cooperative will use it for their own produce, while other farmers can also bring their products and pay a token to support sustainability,” she said.
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Also speaking, the WFP representative, Esther Ogundari, commended the local authorities and community leaders for their support, urging young farmers and women to maximise the opportunity to improve production and income.
Country Director of Self Help Africa, Joy Aderele, said the hub was established to address the recurring challenge of wastage and low prices during glut periods.
She said the project is expected to support over 5,000 youth and create direct employment opportunities within the agricultural value chain.
In his remarks, the District Head of Kura, Lamido Abubakar, praised the initiative and urged the committee managing the facility to ensure proper utilisation and maintenance, noting that the project would benefit not only Kura but Kano State at large.
